Alice Krige

Krige was born in Upington, Cape Province (now Northern Cape), South Africa on 28 June 1954, the daughter of Patricia, a professor of psychology, and Louis Krige, a physician. She is of Afrikaaner and German descent. The Kriges later moved to Port Elizabeth, where Alice grew up in what she has described as a "very happy family", with two brothers, one of whom became a physician and the other a Professor of Surgery.

Krige attended Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa with plans to become a clinical psychologist. She turned to acting after taking an acting class at Rhodes, then completed a Bachelor of Arts degree and a BA Hons degree in drama, with distinction. She went on to London to attend the Central School of Speech and Drama. Krige made her professional debut playing the female lead in the 1976 South African romantic drama film Vergeet My Nie directed by Elmo De Witt.

She moved to England in 1979, when she made her debut on British television appearing in an episode of BBC2 Playhouse. The following year, Krige starred as Lucie Manette in the American historical television film A Tale of Two Cities opposite Chris Sarandon. She went on to play Sybil Gordon in the British historical film Chariots of Fire and Eva Galli/Alma Mobley in Ghost Story, both released in 1981.

She then joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing Cordelia in King Lear and in Edward Bond's Lear, Miranda in The Tempest, Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew, and Roxanne in Cyrano de Bergerac. She also appeared in plays such as Thomas Otway's Venice Preserv'd at the Almeida Theatre in London, and Toyer at the Arts Theatre in the West End.

After her big screen breakthrough, Krige went on to star in a number of made-for-television movies and miniseries. She starred in the three-part CBS miniseries Ellis Island in 1984 based on 1983 novel of the same title. She starred alongside Richard Chamberlain in the television film Wallenberg: A Hero's Story (1985) and the miniseries Dream West (1986). Her other television films include Second Serve (1986), Baja Oklahoma (1988) playing country singer Patsy Cline, and Max and Helen (1990).

Krige played Bathsheba in the 1985 epic film King David opposite Richard Gere. The film was not well received by the critics and was also a box-office failure, grossing $5.9 million worldwide against its $21 million production budget. In 1987, she starred alongside Mickey Rourke and Faye Dunaway in the black comedy film Barfly, which received positive reviews from critics. The following year she played Mary Shelley in the period drama film Haunted Summer. In 1989, Krige played the female lead opposite Jeff Bridges in the romantic comedy-drama film, See You in the Morning.

In 1992, Krige starred in the horror film Sleepwalkers written by Stephen King and directed by Mick Garris. Later that year she guest-starred in an episode of popular teen drama series, Beverly Hills, 90210 playing beautiful ranch owner named Anne who dated Luke Perry's character. She appeared in a made-for-television movies Judgment Day: The John List Story (1993), Jack Reed: Badge of Honor (1993), Sharpe's Honour (1994), Donor Unknown (1995), Devil's Advocate (1995), Hidden in America (1996), Indefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan (1997), and Deep in My Heart (1999). She starred in the 1991 miniseries Strauss Dynasty about Strauss family of Vienna, and well as Scarlet and Black (1993) and Joseph (1995). She received CableACE Award nomination for her performance in the anthology series The Hidden Room in 1992. In 1995, she starred in the critically acclaimed drama film Institute Benjamenta directed by Brothers Quay. She later appeared in Habitat (1997), Twilight of the Ice Nymphs (1998), The Commissioner (1998) and Molokai: The Story of Father Damien (1999).

In 1996, Krige starred in the science fiction film Star Trek: First Contact, playing the role of the Borg Queen, who attempts to assimilate Earth into the Borg collective. She won Best Supporting Actress at the 1997 Saturn Awards for that role. She returned to this character in the Star Trek game Star Trek: Armada II and in the Star Trek: Voyager series finale "Endgame" in 2001. In 2021, she reprised her role as the Borg Queen in voice only for the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks, to be followed in 2023 again voicing the Borg Queen in the series finale of Star Trek: Picard. The character was named the greatest villain in Star Trek history.

In 2000, Krige appeared in two genre films: the horror comedy The Little Vampire and the supernatural horror The Calling. She appeared in Reign of Fire (2002), Stay Alive, Lonely Hearts and The Contract (all released in 2006). Also in 2006, Krige played Christabella, the main antagonist of the supernatural horror film Silent Hill.

In 2008, she starred in the biographical drama film Skin alongside Sophie Okonedo and Sam Neill receiving positive reviews. The film explores the issues of the girl being classified as "Coloured" by the South African authorities during Apartheid, although her parents were white. In 2012, Krige produced the award-winning feature Jail Caesar, an exploration of the little known adolescence of Julius Caesar, filmed in three working prisons with several hundred serving prisoners and an ensemble of actors including Derek Jacobi and John Kani. Jail Caesar was written and directed by Paul Schoolman. Her later credits including Solomon Kane (2009), The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010), Will (2011), and Thor: The Dark World (2013).

Krige's science fiction career has expanded into television, with prominent roles in miniseries adaptations of Dinotopia (2002) and Frank Herbert's Children of Dune (2003).

She played Natalie Wood's mother in the 2004 made-for-television movie The Mystery of Natalie Wood, and starred as Joan Collins in Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure (2005). She starred in the BBC Two drama The Line of Beauty in 2006. She had recurring roles on Deadwood, and guest starred on Six Feet Under, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, The 4400, Dirty Sexy Money and NCIS.

In 2011, Krige appeared in the BBC's final season of Spooks, playing Russian double agent Elena Gavrik. Krige also featured in the final season of the BBC drama Waking the Dead, in 2011. She played the role of Amira in the first and second series of Tyrant for F/X, and worked for the BBC on the series The Syndicate and Partners in Crime. In 2016, she starred on the Netflix mystery series, The OA.

In 2017, Krige starred as Queen Helena Charlton in the Christmas romantic comedy film, A Christmas Prince for Netflix. She reprised her role in two sequels: A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding (2018) and A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby (2019). In 2020 she starred in the dark fantasy horror film, Gretel & Hansel playing the role of The Witch. In 2021, she played the leading role in the psychological horror drama film She Will playing the role of aging film star. Krige received positive reviews for her performance. Also that year she appeared opposite Max von Sydow in the drama film Echoes of the Past. In 2022, Krige appeared in the slasher film Texas Chainsaw Massacre for Netflix.